Screen Turns Off While Gaming - 6 Solutions to Try!

Gaming is one of the sources of entertainment and relaxation for millions of users globally. When technical issues like sudden screen shutdowns occur, it can disrupt the immersive gaming experience. This frustration intensifies when in-game progress is lost. Gamers dedicate numerous hours to mastering levels and accomplishing quests. Therefore, having a reliable backup solution is crucial to mitigate the risk of losing progress due to unforeseen screen turn-offs.

Tools delves into the reasons behind screen turning off while gaming, discussing the underlying causes and offering potential solutions to address this common problem.

Why Does My Screen Turn Off During Gaming?

[Troubleshooting] Monitor turns off while gaming, but PC continues running. Submitted by u/StephTheChef in buildapc

As mentioned on Reddit, your monitor may turn off while gaming, or you might experience a PC black screen while gaming. There can be multiple reasons why PC screens unexpectedly turn off during gaming sessions.

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How to Solve the Issue of Monitor Turning Off While Gaming

With appropriate measures and the correct approach, you can resolve the issue of your monitor turning off. Here are the most effective troubleshooting methods to guide you.

1. Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Techniques
2. Method 2: Inspect Hardware Issues
3. Method 3: Adjust Refresh Rate
4. Method 4: Update Graphics Drivers
5. Method 5: Perform a Clean Boot
6. Method 6: Update Windows

Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Before delving into advanced troubleshooting techniques for Windows 10 and Windows 11, begin by taking some basic steps to address the problem.

• Inspect the Power Supply. Make sure you have a stable power source. Verify that all power cords are correctly connected to your monitor and the electrical outlet. Occasionally, an unreliable power source can lead to intermittent power outages.
• Cool Down Your Computer. Overheating can also cause the monitor to turn off in HP devices. High CPU temperatures may trigger automatic shutdowns to protect hardware from damage. Use software tools to monitor your computer's temperature. Confirm that your CPU and GPU cooling systems are functioning correctly. Consider adding extra fans or optimizing existing ones for improved airflow.
• Restart Your PC. A restart can fix minor software issues. Rebooting your PC erases temporary files and rejuvenates system settings. This can address the underlying problems causing the monitor problem. Before restarting, save any unsaved work and close all open applications.

Method 2: Check for Hardware Issues

When experiencing frequent monitor shut-offs while gaming, investigate the hardware components. Hardware problems can vary from loose connections to damaged parts.

1. Inspect Cable Connections: Check all cable connections between your computer and the power source. Make sure HDMI or DisplayPort cables are firmly connected to their ports. A loose connection or a damaged VGA cable can also result in signal loss.
2. Test with Different Cables: If a faulty cable is the culprit, attempt using different cables to connect your monitor to the computer. Replace HDMI or DisplayPort cables with known working ones to see if the issue continues. Sometimes, cables can deteriorate over time and become damaged.
3. Check GPU and RAM: Inspect the graphics card (GPU) and RAM for any visible damage. Ensure the GPU is securely seated in its PCI Express slot on the motherboard. The RAM modules should be correctly inserted into their DIMM slots.
4. Monitor Internal Components: Examine the internal components of your computer, such as the motherboard and power supply unit (PSU). Look for signs of physical damage, like bent pins or swollen capacitors.

Method 3: Change the Refresh Rate

The refresh rate of a monitor can lead to issues with monitor shut-offs during gaming. To change the refresh rate, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to "Display Settings."

Step 2. Click on "Advanced Display Settings."

Step 3. Select "Refresh Rate" and choose a value.

Step 4. Click "Apply."

Step 5. If the monitor continues to shut down, return to the previous setting.

Method 4: Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics card drivers can also lead to compatibility issues. To ensure optimal performance, make sure your graphics drivers are up to date. Here's how to update your video card drivers:

Step 1. Open "Device Manager."

Step 2. Select your graphics card under "Display adapters."

Step 3. Check the make and model of your graphics card, then click Update drivers.

Step 4. Visit the manufacturer's website and navigate to the support or drivers section.

Step 5. Utilize the website's driver download utility to search for the most recent versions. Download the suitable driver package for your system.

Step 6. Search for "Device Manager" and navigate to the "Display Adapters" section. Uninstall the current drivers.

Step 7. Install the new drivers.

Step 8. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Method 5: Perform a Clean Boot

Conduct a clean boot to pinpoint and segregate software conflicts responsible for your monitor shutting down. By booting your PC with only essential services and startup programs, you can ascertain if a third-party application is the culprit. Here are the steps to execute a clean boot: 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. 2. Type "msconfig" in the box and press Enter. 3. In the System Configuration window, click on the "Services" tab. 4. Check the box labeled "Hide all Microsoft services" to filter out system-critical services. 5. Click "Disable all" to disable non-Microsoft services. 6. Next, move to the "Startup" tab. If it's not visible, click on "Task Manager" to open it. 7. In Task Manager, disable all startup items by right-clicking on each one and selecting "Disable." 8. Close Task Manager and return to the System Configuration window. 9. Click "Apply" and then "OK." A message will appear, asking you to restart your computer. Click "Restart" to proceed. 10. After the restart, your PC will boot with minimal services and startup programs. Monitor its behavior to see if the issue persists. If the monitor no longer shuts down, a third-party application or service was the cause. To identify which one, you'll need to perform a process of elimination by enabling services and startup items one by one, restarting after each change. Once the problematic app or service is found, you can either remove it or look for an update or fix.

Step 1. Press the Windows Key + R.

Step 2. Type "msconfig" and go to "Services".

Step 3. Check the box next to "Hide all Microsoft services."

Step 4. Select "Open Task Manager".

Step 5. Go to "Startup" and select "Open Task Manager."

Step 6. Select each startup item listed and click "Disable" to prevent them from running.

Step 7. Close the Task Manager wizard and return to the System Configuration settings.

Step 8. Click "OK" to apply the changes.

Step 9. Restart your PC to begin the clean boot process.

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Method 6: Update Windows

Maintain your Windows operating system to guarantee the stability of your computer. This ensures the smooth operation of hardware components. Windows updates rectify bugs, apply patches, and update drivers, which can solve various issues. Regularly updating your Windows OS can resolve compatibility problems and enhance performance. To update Windows, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open Windows "Settings."

Step 2. Select "Update & Security."

Step 3. Click on "Windows Update."

Step 4. Select "Check for updates" to search for available updates.

Step 5. Windows will display them with a brief description.

Step 6. Select "Download" to begin downloading the updates.

Step 7. Install the updates.

If you need to update your Windows, it's advisable to create a backup of your system in case any issues arise during the process. Furthermore, if you encounter the problem where your Windows update keeps failing, you can seek assistance from the article provided below.

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Windows Update Continuously Failing on Windows 11

This article explores the typical causes and provides a guide to fixing Windows Update issues in Windows 11. Read more >>

How to Backup Game Saves to Prevent Game Progress Loss

As mentioned earlier, when attempting to update your Windows, it's advisable to back up your computer to prevent data loss. Additionally, it's wise to back up your game save files to safeguard your progress. In this scenario, the Todo Backup, a free backup and recovery solution, can be of great assistance.

Tool's backup software is a dependable solution for safeguarding your valuable files. It enables you to automatically back up your files, ensuring that whether you're securing your media or game data, it protects against unforeseen losses. Equipped with powerful features, Todo Backup also serves as a reliable choice for synchronizing files as the best file sync software available. It offers a wide range of functionalities to cater to various backup requirements.

Todo Backup provides dependable data protection for both casual gamers and professionals. With its customizable options, users can ensure the safety and management of any kind of data.

• Disk Imaging and Cloning: Users can create full disk images or clone entire disks, capturing all the contents of a hard drive for comprehensive data protection.
• File-Level Backup: It provides file-level backup options, allowing users to selectively back up specific files and folders, including game saves. This flexibility lets gamers prioritize crucial data.
• Incremental and Differential Backup: Todo Backup optimizes efficiency by only capturing changes made since the previous backup. This method reduces backup time and minimizes storage needs.
• Disaster Recovery: In case of data loss or system failure, it offers disaster recovery. You can promptly and efficiently restore deleted file backups.
• Deploy Windows to dissimilar hardware: It enables effortless universal restore. You can use it to transfer Windows 10 from one computer to another.

Download Todo Backup now to safeguard your data against accidental loss!

To conclude

That's all regarding how to resolve the issue of "screen turning off while playing games". An unexpected screen shutdown during gameplay can interrupt the immersive gaming experience and potentially lead to the loss of important game progress. This article has delved into the various factors that might cause this problem, ranging from hardware issues to software conflicts. We have outlined all potential causes and offered comprehensive steps to address them.

Implementing backup solutions and ensuring the safety of gaming progress is crucial for uninterrupted gaming experience. A dependable backup tool to consider is Todo Backup. It provides extensive features for backing up game saves and safeguarding against data loss. Download and give it a try today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Monitor Turning Off Randomly While Gaming

1. Why does my screen keep turning black while gaming?

The screen goes black during gaming sessions due to overheating of the GPU or outdated graphics drivers. Occasionally, inadequate power supply or hardware issues can also contribute to this problem.

2. Why does my monitor flash black when I play games?

A flickering black screen during gameplay suggests issues with the graphics card. Check for outdated drivers or inadequate power supply. Inconsistent display settings or a defective monitor cable can also contribute to this problem.

3. Can defective RAM cause no display?

Faulty RAM can result in various display problems, such as no display or sporadic black screens. When the RAM is defective, it can induce instability within the system.

4. Why does my monitor randomly turn off while I'm gaming?

Random monitor shutdowns while gaming could be attributed to an inadequate power supply or outdated graphics drivers. It's crucial to diagnose both hardware and software problems as well.